MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate use

Date: 29 February 2012

Consultation on Priorities For Future Porirua Sports Infrastructure

Porirua sportspeople and city residents are being asked for their opinion on a draft Council policy document on the future sports infrastructure needs of the city.

"Organised and casual sports are hugely beneficial to people from communities right across our city," says Cr Denys Latham.

"A reflection of the Council's commitment to ensuring sports continues to thrive here, is our Shared Responsibility Scheme which enables the Council to partner with sports clubs to build and maintain much-needed sports infrastructure," Cr Latham says.

"Due to the success of this scheme, the Council is frequently approached by sporting groups asking for assistance from the Council to help meet the infrastructure needs of their respective codes.

"In order to make sound judgements about city-wide leisure needs and sports facility demand and rather than respond only to ad hoc requests, the Council conducted its own research in 2010 and 2011," says Cr Latham.

Using this research, combined with the feedback from sports clubs, the Shared Responsibility Scheme (a funding mechanism) has been updated, and a Sports Infrastructure Investment Policy (decision making around where Council funding could be targeted) is being developed.

The help the Council form this policy, sports clubs are being invited to put forward their views.

The policy will aim to:
• Establish a decision-making process to prioritise funding applications for sport infrastructure provision through the Shared Responsibility Scheme or as part of Council's Long Term Plan.
• Provide a strategic basis and direction for future sport infrastructure development in Porirua City .
• Identify and prioritise sport infrastructure developments where Council might have a lead role.
The Council now wants to hear from all Porirua sporting clubs and organisations, and all national and regional sporting organisations, about their sports' prospects for future code development and possible infrastructure projects in Porirua.
Porirua sports clubs and organisations have been invited to attend a meeting on Wednesday 14 March where Council staff will also; check the PCC sports club database is up to date, hear Porirua sports clubs' future plans for developing their code in Porirua, including any proposed facility development.
Date - Wednesday 14 March 2012
Venue - Meeting Room, Te Rauparaha Arena
Time - 6.30pm – 8.00pm

All sports clubs and/or organisations are invited to attend. RSVP fvaai@pcc.govt.nz or (04) 237 3833

ENDS

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